The Dimeric Form of 1,3‐Diaminoisoquinoline Derivative Rescued the Mis‐splicing of Atp2a1 and Clcn1 Genes in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 Mouse Model

Expanded CUG repeat RNA in the dystrophia myotonia protein kinase (DMPK) gene causes myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and sequesters RNA processing proteins, such as the splicing factor muscleblind‐like 1 protein (MBNL1). Sequestration of splicing factors results in the mis‐splicing of some pre‐mRNAs. Small molecules that rescue the mis‐splicing in the DM1 cells have drawn attention as potential drugs to treat DM1. Herein we report a new molecule JM642 consisted of two 1,3‐diaminoisoquinoline chromophores having an auxiliary aromatic unit at the C5 position. JM642 alternates the splicing pattern of the pre‐mRNA of the Ldb3 gene in the DM1 cell model and Clcn1 and Atp2a1 genes in the DM1 mouse model. In vitro binding analysis by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay to the r(CUG) repeat and disruption of ribonuclear foci in the DM1 cell model suggested the binding of JM642 to the expanded r(CUG) repeat in vivo, eventually rescue the mis‐splicing. A new molecule JM642 alternates the splicing pattern of Atp2a1 pre‐mRNA in the mouse model of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) to include the exon 22. In vitro binding assay showed that JM642 bound to the CUG repeat RNA and disrupt the RNA foci in the cell.